World Heritage Site

I have had the wonderful opportunity of working alongside Swiss wallers on this dry stone project at Belalp in Switzerland. The compound is still used to gather and sort sheep and goats in the high alps above 2000 metres . Many sections are in need of repair. Around 20 years ago major work was carried out using mortar, many of these sections are now requiring attention .The local and national authorities wish the work to be carried out using the traditional methods with dry stone.

During the time spent there I found several stone related features which will appear in future blog entries.

Part of Scotland

There are times when dry stone wallers find the perfect end for a wall without having to lay a rock. This photo sent by master craftsman Nick Aitken shows a very handy lump of Scottish bedrock possibly contoured by a glacier at the end of the ice age.No one is going to disturb that for quite a while!

Rhiconich Sutherland

Moongate

This delightful Moongate built by the DSWA West of Scotland branch won a prize at the Scottish Garden Show in Edinburgh. The photo shows driving force Irwin Campbell along with Canadian visitor John Shaw-Rimmington. Congratulations go to all involved including several members from other branches who helped greatly.